Chamber Connection (August 2023)

CHAMBER CONNECTION

THE HISPANIC BUSINESS GROUP IS GAINING MOMENTUM

In May 2022, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber formed the Hispanic Business Group (HBG) to strengthen and support our diverse business community. Through its first year, the group focused on gathering community members and putting together a plan of purpose.

Stepping into the new 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Chamber has taken the opportunity to reflect on the success of the group and create a plan to build upon this foundation.

The HBG has had great success in bringing together individuals and in collaborating with local partners. Through this group, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber has been able to expand our business support efforts and local partnerships by engaging in various events including CET (Center of Employment Training)’s Job Fair, facilitating Allan Hancock Business Startup courses, working with SBA and emergency relief programs, among several other community involvements.

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IN THIS ISSUE

CHAMBER IN ACTION P.3

MEMBERSHIP CORNER P.4

JULY MONTHLY FEATURED BUSINESSES P.5

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: COIFFURE SOCIETY SALON P.5

RECENT CHAMBER PUBLICATIONS P. 6

GUEST ARTICLE: SANTA MARIA IS A SMART CITY, SAFE CITY P.7

SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Above: Hispanic Business Group members attend group meeting earlier this year to discuss future event planning.

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Chairman: Paul Cook, CoastHills Credit Union

Chairman-Elect: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company

Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA

Vice Chairman: Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.

Past Chairman: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals

Board Members

Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center

Michael Boyer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast

Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business

Solutions Powered by Digital West

Donna Denham, Santa Maria Country Club

Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions

Karen Fothergill, Andre, Morris & Buttery

Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District

Gina Gluyas, Realtor, Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Haven Properties

David Leroy, Toyota Of Santa Maria

David Merlo, Glenn Burdette

Tere Paredes, Maya Restaurant

Joshua Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group

Ryan Swack, Best Western Big America

Laurie Tamura, Urban Planning Concepts

Kevin G. Walthers, Allan Hancock College

Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities? Contact Molly Schiff, Director of Member & Community Engagement, at molly@santamaria.com to learn more about open positions on our committees.

CONTINUED - THE HISPANIC BUSINESS GROUP IS GAINING MOMENTUM

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Through various events, the group has grown to have 45 businesses involved and participating. The group has also engaged with over 240 entrepreneurs by providing quarterly business start-up information classes through Allan Hancock College.

“The Hispanic Business Group is gaining momentum and is making a difference in the business community; I’m thrilled to see the Group grow and do more within the community” said Suzanne Singh, Economic Development Director of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber.

In addition to its current programming, the group is excited to invite the community to its new monthly “Grow Your Business” event series. These events will rotate amongst local businesses and will feature a business location spotlight, along with another business spotlight. Each event will begin with a learning segment (community information piece, resource presentation, etc.) by a guest speaker/business.

For more information about the Hispanic Business group and ways to get involved, please contact Suzanne Singh, Economic Development Director of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber at suzanne@santamaria.com.

Pictured:

1. The Hispanic Business Group hosted a community event in May providing networking and resource opportunities.

2. HBG participants pose for a picture at March mixer event, where over 50 community members attended.

About the Hispanic Business Group

“The mission of the Santa Maria Valley Hispanic Business Committee is to strengthen local businesses through fostering community engagement, providing business resources and tools, and supporting youth education.”

Committee Members:

Claudia Ortiz- Chair

Edgar Gascon

Maria Elena Lopez

Teresa Parades

Magaly Villanueva

Chamber Staff:

Suzanne Singh

David Hernandez

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Scan for more ways to get involved!

CHAMBER IN ACTION

STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

1. The Chamber recently convened their volunteer leadership for a presentation on the history of water in the Santa Maria Valley community.

2. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s EDC department organized a neighborhood information session bringing together local business owners and developers to discuss Downtown development projects.

3. Our Visitor Bureau recently held a FAM (familiarization) tour, taking about 20 local front-line hospitality workers to various points of interest for visitors. Stops included: Radisson, PCPA, Zaca Mesa, and The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido.

4. Chamber Director of Member & Community Engagement, Molly Schiff recently attended a social event for her Leading For Community Impact cohort.

5. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s Hispanic Business Group participated in an event planning session with local organizations including SCORE and RACE Matters.

Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month.

GROWING MEMBERSHIP: CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

As champions for a stronger Santa Maria Valley, the Chamber is excited to welcome more businesses to our growing organization. Please join us in welcoming the following new Chamber members, who joined in June 2023.

Director: Coastal Connection Tours & Charters (805) 717-1060

www.coastalconnectiontours.com

Investor: California Hot Dogs - Santa Maria California Hot Dogs - Avila Beach (805) 886-7700

Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino (866) 472-5223

www.tachipalace.com

Premium:

Griffin Plumbing (805) 934-1949

www.griffin-plumbing.com/cities-weserve/santa-maria-plumber/

Member:

Aflac Central Coast Office (661) 910-2342

www.aflac.com

Guaranteed Rate (805) 202-9037

www.rate.com

Lark + Sparrow (805) 268-7423

www.larkandsparrow.co

Member:

Miranda Entertainment (805) 708-3580

www.latinobusinessawards.com

RP3 Productions LLC (805) 621-4955

www.rp3productions.com

Twitchell & Rice, LLP (805) 925-2611

www.twitchellandrice.com

805 Law Group (805) 466-4800

www.atownlaw.com

MONTHLY FEATURED BUSINESSES FOR JULY 2023

Each month the Chamber in partnership with the City of Santa Maria recognizes two deserving businesses through the “Monthly Featured Business Program.” We are excited to announce this month’s recipients!

LONG-STANDING HEALTHCARE

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THESE MEMBERS!

If you know a long-standing or healthcare business in the City of Santa Maria who deserves recognition, email isabel@santamaria.com to nominate them for this program.

Maya Restaurant was recognized at City Council as the long-standing featured business of the month for July 2023.

Calm was recognized at City Council as the Healthcare featured business of the month for May 2023.

Scan to read the full press release.

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: RIVERBENCH VINEYARD & WINERY

Check out our most recent local business spotlight on Riverbench Vineyard & Winery.

The “Local Business Spotlight” series is an on-going collaboration between the Santa Maria Valley Chamber and the Santa Maria Times with the goal of showcasing great local businesses.

Scan to learn more and watch Riverbench video.

Pictured: Riverbench General Manger, Danae Smith recently sat down with Chamber Staff to discuss the business’ history, summer offerings and much more during an interview as a part of the Local Business Spotlight series.

KEEP UP WITH OUR OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Take a look at some of our other recent Chamber publications including our new Quarterly Magazine and editorials.

Business, #SantaMariaStyle is the Chamber’s quarterly digital magazine publication. The magazine is another way we highlight local businesses, tips from local experts, our membership directory and more!

Check out our Summer 2023 edition for coverage of housing and development projects in the Santa Maria Valley, various industry/sector updates and recent membership recognitions.

Scan to read our new Summer 2023 Magazine.

CHAMBER COMMENTARY | EDITORIALS IN SANTA MARIA TIMES

Each month the Santa Maria Valley Chamber partners with the Santa Maria Times to coordinate guest writers for two editorial columns. Below are the two Chamber Commentary articles released during July 2023.

INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH THE CHAMBER?

Please reach out to Isabel Guerrero, Marketing & Communications Coordinator: isabel@santamaria.com

Pay transparency on the rise, creating equity in the workplace

Child Care: The quiet backbone of the workforce and economy

Scan to read prior Chamber editorials.

As Santa Maria grows, so does the need for fast and reliable services for our residents. Our Smart City, Safe City vision meets that need and improves your quality of life.

We launched this transformative vision, with the unanimous support of our City Council on behalf of all of our approximately 700 City employees in our 10 departments.

Smart City, Safe City is a collective of the work we do helping residents maintain and enrich their quality of life now and for years to come.

Your City of Santa Maria looks at needs and provides solutions. Smart embraces the use of technology, Safe represents enhanced access to vital services.

Some of our Smart City, Safe City programs we have provided for many years, while others are new. We offer a wide and growing assortment of tools to put money back in your pocket, create efficiency in daily operations, and be kinder to the environment.

Think streamlined and green transportation, smart apps, interactive maps, Police text alerts, online programs, updated traffic and bike lanes, rapid emergency and safety response, online permitting, inclusive playgrounds, our Neighborhood Connect portal, and much more.

All these programs enrich your quality of life, give you peace of mind, and save you time and money.

The basis for our Smart City, Safe City logo is an icon that represents the parts of this vision – technology and safety, represented by semi-circles or Cs in blue and gold (our City colors) – coming together to create a

GUEST ARTICLE: SANTA MARIA IS A SMART CITY, SAFE CITY

connected community. They are unified by the green S, representing our strong ties to agriculture and the environment.

We have a new Smart City, Safe City website, cityofsantamaria.org/smartcity, with photos, information and videos showing how people in Santa Maria can benefit from robust, easy-to-access services and a more connected living experience.

One component is called Neighborhood Connect, our new website platform to streamline responses for non-emergency City issues. People can access it using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The website is https://Neighborhoodconnect. cityofsantamaria.org

User-submitted reports are automatically directed to the responsible department for follow-up. Users who submit their email address receive personalized replies back

from the City providing an update on how their concern is being addressed.

An interactive map is also provided on the website, allowing users to view additional concerns reported by other users as well.

For the City, this is designed to help us track and identify trends, and to improve overall customer service. Our goal is to continue to add more reporting categories. Implementing the Smart City, Safe City vision does not mean we are a perfect city. It does mean, as Santa Maria grows, that we are enhancing our services to meet our needs for the future.

We put the best interests of our community first by investing in a future that is safe and smart for everyone who lives and works here. That is our commitment.

Alice Patino, Mayor of Santa Maria

“The Santa Maria Valley Chamber is very busy and active in its quest to help local businesses with all of their needs, but most specifically, the need to have customers and clients in order to survive. The staff at the Chamber takes so much time actively assisting business owners with needs and seeks to create so many networking opportunities such as the ambassador program, the Build Your Business weekly meetings, the ribbon cutting events, and the mixer events. Each of these events provides ways for the business to showcase its services or products to the attendees to spread the word about their business. The staff really cares and tries so hard to help, and they are all so happy and friendly.” -Kelly

Stone, Carmel & Naccasha